Historic Relief for Mbeere as KSh3.2 Billion Road Project Begins

The proposed Gikuyari-Karambari-Kirie-Mugwanjogu-Karerema-Ishiara Road will connect the three wards of Muminji, Nthawa, and Evurore, and is set to transform the region’s economy by improving connectivity and easing transport to neighboring counties of Meru and Kitui.

The announcement was made by immediate former MP Geoffrey Ruku now serving as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes—through his social media platforms, sparking excitement across the constituency.

For residents of Muminji Ward, the news is nothing short of historic. Since independence, the area has never had a tarmacked road, and the promise of change is stirring hope. Local leader and Mbeere North politician Joab Konji described the development as a turning point, recalling how residents have suffered, especially during the rainy season when the road becomes impassable due to flooding, mudslides, and erosion.

“It’s a struggle we have endured for decades. We have even seen examination papers delivered by helicopter because of this road. It is not just about transport it is about dignity and opportunity,” Konji said.

A tragedy that claimed the lives of 11 elderly passengers three years ago after their bus plunged into a flooded Thura River remains etched in the community’s memory, a grim reminder of the consequences of poor infrastructure.

David Mugo, another resident, said the road’s condition has long hampered economic progress, making the cost of transporting people and goods unbearably high. “Farmers growing muguka, our main cash crop, suffer reduced profits because of high transport costs. We have been cut off for too long,” he said.

Youth leader Collins Kithweri shared how the state of the road has crippled the boda boda business, with frequent breakdowns and accidents becoming the norm. “Some of us have injuries to show for it. Others have lost their sources of income altogether,” he added.

Construction is expected to begin by the end of the year, and for the people of Mbeere North, it signals not just a road but a lifeline one that may finally unlock the full potential of a region long left behind.